Nevada County picayune., 1887-01-26
mp the faded old carpets, in the upper rooms.

Cousin Grimsooke never need know it," said she, as if apologiz- ing U his vacant chair. "And these bedroom carpets are perfect ly-Awfulp' (with very big A, in, deedl. ''l'll beat them myself with d little twig from the Balm of Gilead tree,' said Classy, 'and that can't wear them out"
 She had not half finished white washing the kitchen ceiliug, how ever, when Cora startled her with a cry of surprise.
 "Oh, Cassy, Cassy,' cried the girl, 'see here! See what I have found!
 "A ghost" cried Classy, skillful ly drawing the wet brush in straight, sweeping lines across the ceiling. "Or mouse, or black beetlo"
 "Not one of the tllree," retorted Cora, making her breathless ap. pearance at the Lead of the stairs. "Thrcc fve-hundred dollar bills, ill an envelop, laid flat under the oil cloth in front of Cousin Grim. gooke's washing stand. Oh. Classy, what shall we do with themi l feel as if l had been stealing.'
 Do with them?" repeated Cassy, who was the valiant one of the fam. fly. "Why, put them in your pock- ct, of course. and replace them ex- .actly where yon found them when the carpet goes down a.ain.'
 But how do you suppose they came there?"
 Cousin Grimgooke put them there. of course. It's one of his magpies' nests. Aud that was the reason, don't you see, that he was so unwilling for us to take up the carpets"
 q wish we hadn't disobeyed him." sad Cora, with a qmvering lip
 "Why. what little goose you arew said Classy, with superior air. "One can't always live in the dirt. can one?"
 And Cora finally came round to her sisters way of thinking.
 The two girls made haste with their undertakings and had the house all thoroughly cleaned by Saturday night, inst about the time that old Uncle Silas Pea body came by, selling clans.
 "Don't want any, eh" said he. "Wal, I've had dreadful bad luck to-day. Haint no money to buy a lodging. S'pose you wouldn't like to let me sleep in your harn?'
 "Certainly we should not" said Cassy, with decision.
 "Cousin Grimgooke would never allow such thing" protested Cora, turning pale.
 "Wal, wal" said Uncle Silas, "there ain't no harm done! I guess l can just stub on spell furder."
 But he did not ''stub" further than the barn, apparently, for there he was found, half an hour later, asleep in the hay, with q half smoked pipe lying beside him, and the entire premises in a light blaze.
 The neighbor who made the dis covery lost no time in summoning help; but there was no Steam Fire Department in Wiggleton, and within two hours both house and barn were in ashes. Uncle Silas carried off to the nearest hospital, and Cora and Classy wringing their hands at neighbours window as they gazed at the ruins.
 And the embers were yet smok ing when Mir. Grimgooke came hurrying up from the railway sta ton.
 "Is it true!" he said, "Is my house burned downW
 And he was pale as marble as he stood there, gazing on the re. mains of what had once been "Home."
 Don't fret. Grmgooke," con soled Squire Bnrrell. "They're insured, both house and barn. And the Reviver Company's al. ways as good as its word.'
 Don't look so sad, Cousin Grim.ooke,n coayed Cassy, creep ing up to his side.
 q hope, cousin, you don't blame